Oasis® Humidifiers
Oasis® Humidifiers
We are excited about this opportunity to bring you more of what we love and rely on for our own instruments—in addition to supporting a company and products we think are doing it right.
Our A & F-style Mandolin Recommendation [Please see photos for positioning recommendations]:
“The OH-26 Mandolin Humidifier is a modified version of the OH-6 Case Humidifier. It is shorter than the OH-6, so it can stand upright in a lower depth mandolin case. It comes with a shorter clip than the OH-6 to fit the reduced depth of the mandolin case. The clip also has a wider top so it can span the side of a thicker plush case. The humidity output is reduced from that of the OH-6 because the area to be humidified is smaller. The OH-26 holds about 1/3rd less water than the OH-6 and only takes two syringes to fill it the first time. The OH-26 will only fit cases where there is an open area for the humidifier to fit (F style). It will not fit a case where the body of the mandolin is completely form fitted to the case on all sides (A style). A stainless steel strip with two sided tape and a 10 cc syringe are also included with the OH-26 Mandolin Humidifer.
Because tap and bottled water have dissolved minerals that can clog the liner, distilled water is recommended to extend the useful life of your humidifier.”
The Spread on Humidification
Once we all start turning the heat or AC on, things will start to dry out, including our instruments. Sometimes it’s even the natural climate of your location that poses a threat. There’s nothing more frustrating than finding a crack on the top or a shrunken fretboard/endpin/pickguard on your instrument, especially when it could have been avoided by properly humidifying. Here at our shops and homes, we have found that approaching humidity with three separate tools produces the best results.
1. In-case humidifier. Keeping your instrument inside a case when not in use greatly improves your chances of maintaining proper humidity. Check out Boveda or Oasis.
2. Portable hygrometer/thermometer to monitor the humidity level in the room where you store or play your instruments. It’s one thing to know what humidity is like inside the case but conditioning and monitoring your home, practice space, or storage closet is essential and easy to do.
3. In-room (Standalone) or home furnace humidifier. There are a gazillion options and you could very well need one or more depending on where you live and the type of system you use to heat your home with.
Optimum conditions for your instrument are humidity levels between 40-60% and temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees. Depending on where you live and how frequently you play (or inspect) your instruments you may not need all 3 items. We recommend that each owner approach humidity with their own environment in mind. However, all of us here at Northfield prescribe to the notion that it’s better to be safe than sorry. That’s why we’ve stocked up and are pleased to offer some of the same tools we use for you.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions.
—The Northfield Team
